HBO’s Party Celebrates Its Domination on Emmy Night

Slide Show | Scene City: Partying With HBO After the Emmys HBO might not have swept the Emmys, but it was a winner among the after parties.

Emily Berl for The New York Times

September 25, 2013

Scene City

By MONICA CORCORAN HAREL

HBO did not sweep this year’s Emmy Awards, but it still had plenty of reason to celebrate Sunday night.

With 27 wins, the most of any network, HBO took over the plaza outside the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood and invited 2,000 guests.

Among the first Emmy winners to walk the red carpet was Bobby Cannavale, carrying a gold statue for his supporting role on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” “This is great, but I don’t want to walk around with it in my hand,” Mr. Cannavale said. “I’m going to package it up nicely and send it to my mom in Miami.”

He was followed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, wearing a metallic Monique Lhuillier gown that was as reflective as the Emmy she won for best actress in a comedy.

“I plan to sleep with this tonight,” she said.

Inside the vast tent, 120 tables and 15 bars had been set up. Yards and yards of turquoise and lime-green ikat fabric covered walls, banquettes and chairs. The theme was peacock, but it looked more like a giant Indian wedding.

Anchoring one of the tables was Jeff Daniels, the star of HBO’s “The Newsroom,” whose Emmy for best actor in a drama was one of the night’s biggest surprises. He name-checked Dick Van Dyke as an early influence. “You can see him in everything I do,” Mr. Daniels said. “I also loved Don Knotts.”

But it wasn’t just a celebration for HBO. There were stars from other networks, including what seemed like the entire cast of ABC’s “Modern Family,” which won for best comedy series.

Taylor Schilling, the star of Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” had just come from her online channel’s own party. “People aren’t used to seeing me look glamorous,” said Ms. Schilling, who wore a dress by Thakoon. “I was just sitting at a table with some Netflix people and they didn’t know who I was.”

As the crowd grew, it became harder for many guests to connect. Allison Williams of “Girls” stood in the center so her friends could find her. “I still haven’t seen a lot of people that I want to congratulate,” said Ms. Williams, who wore a cobalt-blue strapless gown by Ralph Lauren. “I had a couple of Diet Cokes, so I feel awake.”

That was a good thing because the party showed no signs of peaking at midnight. Sofia Vergara, who wore a snug red Vera Wang gown, had just sashayed in. Michael Douglas was in the house. So was Mick Jagger and Al Pacino.

Standing in one corner was Lena Dunham, the star and creator of “Girls,” who took the night in stride. “I feel like no one is ever going to think of me as best dressed, so the pressure is removed,” said Ms. Dunham, who wore a custom blue Prada gown festooned with red roses. “I get to just have fun and embrace what I love about fashion, which is color, texture and the chance to role play.”